Folding display-case.



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FOLDING DISPLAY CASE.

(Application filed Aug. 13, 1902,)

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UNITED STATES ATnNr FFICE.

CALVIN S. MORRIS, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

FOLDING DISPLAY-CASE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 717,433, dated December 30, 1902.

Application filed August 13, 1902. Serial No. 119,566. (No model.)

T aZZ' whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CALVIN S. MORRIS, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, State of Missouri, have invented new and useful Improvements in Folding Display- Oases, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in folding sample-cases; and the object of the same is to provide a simple form of conveniently-connected trays or members in which samples of various kinds of goods may be packed and readily displayed and examined without removal from the apartments or divisions of the case.

The invention consists in the construction and arrangement of the several parts, which will be more fully hereinafter referred to.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View of the case shown closed. Fig. 2 is a similar View of the case partially opened.

Fig. 3 is a similar view of the case shown fully open. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal vertical section of the case as shown by Fig. 3.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts in the several views. The numerals 1 and 2 respectively designate the main members or parts of the case, consisting of rectangular boxes hinged at their inner ends to an auxiliary or bottom tray 3 and also having foldable thereinto supplemental trays 4 and 5. The hinges for connecting the several parts may be of metal or of flexible material secured by cementation to the adjacent walls of the boxes, and in the present instance the inner ends of the members 1 and 2 are secured to the sides of the auxiliary tray 3 by flexible strips 6, and the inner sides of the supplemental trays 4 are secured to the outer sides of the members 1 and 2 by similar flexible strips 7. The trays and members are of box-like form and their dimensions and capacity will be varied at will, and it is intended to construct similar parts of the improved case of wood, leather, canvas, or any other suitable material. The supplemental trays 4 and 5 are smaller in dimensions than the members 1 and 2, so as to fold into the latter, as clearly shown by Fig. 2. When the parts are closed, as shown by Fig. 1, they are adapted to be held in tight engagement by keepers 8 and a lock 9, and for convenience in transporting the case it will be supplied with a top grip 10. In order to have the members 1 and 2 snugly engage each other at the edges, extended flanges 11 will be formed on the edges of the member 2 to overlap the contiguous edges of the memher 1. The several parts are so connected that when they are opened outwardly they will be suspended in horizontal position and may be only partially or fully opened, as clearly indicated by Figs. 2 and 3.

The supplemental trays 4 and 5 consist of rectangular frames, as shown, having horizontal partitions 12, arranged and secured midway of the height thereof and one in each, so that said trays may serve as covers for the members 1 and 2 without materially decreasing the capacity thereof and when closed constitute in each instance a third compartment intermediate of the said members. When the supplemental trays are turned back, they serve as exhibit-boxes, as well as when in the members 1 and 2, as shown by Fig. 2.

To keep the trays and members in proper form, they may be reinforced on the exterior at different points, particularly when made of thin material, and to prevent them from sagging suitable stop devices may be secured in the bottoms thereof, particularly in the members 1 and 2, to receive the weight of the supplemental trays 4 and 5, as clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4.. Tabs will also be secured to the sides of the supplemental trays for convenience in lifting them outwardly from the members 1 and 2.

The auxiliary or bottom tray 3 is covered by the inner opposing sides of the members 1 and 2, the width of the tray and the said sides being properly proportioned for this purpose, and in some instances the said bottom or auxiliary tray maybe made heavier than the remaining members of the improved case to sustain the weight of the said members and their contents with greater durability.

It will be perceived from the foregoing description that the case is composed of a considerable number of compartments in which goods may be placed, and any one, two, or a greater number of the trays may be utilized for display purposes, in accordance with the nature of the contents thereof and the charactor of display demanded. It is also obvious that the improved case may be utilized both for shipment and for display, and it is eminently useful for containing candies, crackers, samples of groceries generally, and many other articles of merchandise. It may also be utilized for containing clothing.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new is Afolding sample-case,comprising two main trays having supplemental trays disposed therein and hinged thereto, the supplemental trays having horizontal partitions fixed intermediate of the heights of the side and end walls to provide double trays and movable outwardly from the two main trays, and an auxiliary bottom tray having the outer edges of the inner sides of the main trays hinged thereto, the bottom tray being equal in width to the combined width of the sides of the main trays connected thereto to form a compact case when the parts are closed.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CALVIN S. MORRIS. Witnesses:

AUG. H. WENNAKER, G. L. KLEINSOHMIDT. 

